Game Reviews

THQ's yearly release is finally upon us as millions of rabid WWE fans worldwide await the newest iteration of their beloved franchise. Whereas EA's Madden series of football sims are often ridiculed as "glorified roster updates," THQ has typically managed to make significant improvements and changes to keep fans happy. This year is no different as THQ and Yukes have brought together a smattering of large-scale changes, enhancements to existing features, and tweaks to long-time game mechanics and matches.

Gameplay is fundamentally the same as Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 outside of a few key changes. Different inputs for strong and weak grapples have been done away with in favor of a system that recognizes if your opponent is stunned or not. If he is wobbling on his feet your grapples will be strong and powerful, where they'll otherwise default to weaker grapples. While it's simpler, I found myself wishing for the system of years past with several strong and weak grapples available at any time. This year's move selection feels limited in comparison with fewer moves available per Superstar.

As far as match types are concerned, Royal Rumble is now available to play online and expanded to allow up to twelve players. Only six players are allowed in the ring at any one time, though, by way of the same elimination mini-games seen in last year's installation. Hell in a Cell has been improved to be more realistic; that means a larger cell, weapons under the ring, and new moves utilizing the cell's walls. The best addition, however, is the ability to create your own match type. If you've ever desired an inferno ring submission 2-out-of-3 falls match, you can create it now.